Graham Carter

The last remaining player from Steve Evans’ double-promotion winning squad is leaving Crawley Town.

Former captain Josh Simpson, the club’s longest-serving player has turned down a short-term offer to stay on next season.

Brian Jensen saves from the penalty spot against Coventry City (Pic by Jon and Joe Rigby) SUS-150505-091509008

Brian Jensen, Dean Leacock, Charles Banya, Emmett O’Connor, Blair Anderson, Bradley Isaacs, Kelly Youga, John Cofie and Ryan Richefond are also leaving this summer at the end of their contracts.

Offers given to Marvin Elliott and Dean Morgan are not being taken further.

Utility player Bobson Bawling is to stay on at the club.

Manager Mark Yates said: “Josh Simpson has turned us down. He wants to look at other options which we fully understand and we wish Josh all the best for the future. He has been a great servant of Crawley Town over the last four years and he will always be a welcome visitor to the club.

We wish Josh Simpson all the best for the future. He has been a great servant of Crawley Town over the last four years and he will always be a welcome visitor to the club.”

Crawley Town manager Mark Yates

“We are pleased that Bobson Bawling has agreed a new one-year deal and we are still in discussions with Conor Henderson.

“The club initially made offers to Marvin Elliott and Dean Morgan but after evaluating the squad I decided not to go any further with these two players. I would like to thank both for their services to the club and wish them all the best for the future.

“Brian Jensen, Dean Leacock, Charles Banya, Emmett O’Connor, Blair Anderson, Bradley Isaacs, Kelly Youga, John Cofie and Ryan Richefond have all been released at the end of their contracts and we wish them all the very best for their future careers.”

In terms of new signings, Mark is continuing to pursue several targets.

He said: “We are getting very close on a couple of things and are holding discussions with other players. I am looking to improve us in central defence and across the midfield and wide areas and, of course, we also need a goalkeeper.

“I have had some very productive meetings in the last few days. I don’t like to put a timescale on or promise things by a certain date because there can sometimes be unexpected delays but I am very excited about the potential business we hope to complete in the next few days and weeks.”

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